toddler social life...

what do you do with your toddler? as far as playgroups/activities are concerned..!

just curious! (& possibly looking for new ideas for Calvin who is 19 months tomorrow!)


recently, we attend a playgroup on tuesdays and fridays, monday afternoon is playdates with two other local toddlers, wednesday morning is softplay with a friend and her toddler.. thursdays are usually open days!

playgroup weds. & thursdays, tumble tots on tuesdays. 

with two kids, that's about all we can handle at the 'mo, although i usually meet pals w/kids on the weekends as well.

Playgroup Tues, Wed and Fridays, couldn't live without them.

depends where you live I used to take her to : Clowntown indoor playpark

theatre: Tricycle theatre had african drumming sessions.


Indoor Lidos , movie clubs.

That is more activity than I have Philip ivolved in!

He's got two friends, Adam and Autumn. We visit them both at least once a week, so that is 2 days of play with similar aged kids. In sunny weather I take him to the local outdoor playground almost every day, since we don't have a yard. Even when we do, I'll still take him a couple of times a week to have that kind of group atmosphere. I'm involved with a mothers group through meetup.com, and we do something with that group about once a week as well. He'll be starting a oncce a week playgroup with them soon. We also go to our local mall and let him have a play in the soft play area they've got.

We are looking at putting him in a pre-school when he hits 2 this April. He adores large groups of kids, absolutely adores it. I also want him to be well-established into a shcool-like environment when we bring another baby into the family, so he doesn't have 2 huge adjustments at once. I also would like time away from him... since my husband is away so much at the moment (has only been hom 6 days this whole month!!) I *definitely* need a break. We're looking for a 2 day a week, 2-3 hours a day kind of deal for him. Most start at age 3, but a few around here start at two.

Definitely playgroups - we have two each week that we participate in.  I have also been taking him to a music class once a week since he was about 3 months old.  The boy loves music and dancing (and it really tires him out ).  Gymnastic-type classes can also be a big laugh for kids his age; you'd be amazed at what they can do!

What? Your kids have more social live than I do! With four kids I can say Jack Jack's brothers are his social life. I envy those moms that have time for playgroups and social events. Im so busy with laundry, school work, taxiing, etc.

What? Your kids have more social live than I do! With four kids I can say Jack Jack's brothers are his social life. I envy those moms that have time for playgroups and social events. Im so busy with laundry, school work, taxiing, etc.

I think once you have more than two, they primarily keep each other entertained. 

What? Your kids have more social live than I do! With four kids I can say Jack Jack's brothers are his social life. I envy those moms that have time for playgroups and social events. Im so busy with laundry, school work, taxiing, etc.

You said it Pebbles.  When my first child came along we did all this stuff but now I have 3 under the age of 5 and my oldest is special needs and I work part time.  We have a 100% non-existant social life.   Ho hum.  I am too tired to care.

once we move i am going to sign Calvin up with tumbletots.. we did catarpillar music for 10 weeks in the autumn and he loved it. will probably do it again in a month or two. i'm a firm believer that toddlers need interaction with other toddlers! and i dont really mind it! i have met some really nice moms in the process! so its all win-win for us!:)


and all the playing tires him out!!!

Jackson goes to nursery twice a week, attends a playgroup on Monday and loves to play with this 8 year old brother.  I too believe toddlers need to interact with other toddlers, plus it is a good way to meet other moms.

I'm having trouble getting Ethan along to any toddler groups because most of the ones near us are in the morning when he usually has a 2 hour nap.  I can't decide whether it is better to disrupt his routine by keeping him awake and taking him along to a couple of groups a week or whether it is better to let him keep to routine and miss out. What do you all think?

I'm having trouble getting Ethan along to any toddler groups because most of the ones near us are in the morning when he usually has a 2 hour nap.  I can't decide whether it is better to disrupt his routine by keeping him awake and taking him along to a couple of groups a week or whether it is better to let him keep to routine and miss out. What do you all think?

I used to run a toddler group that met 2x a week at 12pm. A lot of the parents had this same concern in the beginning and would sometimes even come to class with their child having fallen asleep in the car on the ride to the school. Slowly, these children would adapt to the new schedule and ended up taking their nap after the 1 1/2 hour class. I never had a parent regret the change in schedule and most found it a great way to transition their children into a regular school program later on. I think these classes are great for toddlers. It really gives them something of their own to be a part of. If your child does end up having a very hard time having the nap change, they just may be too young, but most children I have found can handle the adjustment between 18 mos and 2 years.

Thanks for the input, that is what I've been worried about that he wouldn't adjust or would just fall asleep!

I'm having trouble getting Ethan along to any toddler groups because most of the ones near us are in the morning when he usually has a 2 hour nap. I can't decide whether it is better to disrupt his routine by keeping him awake and taking him along to a couple of groups a week or whether it is better to let him keep to routine and miss out. What do you all think?

i had this same problem with Calvin a few months ago.
2 of the groups we go to meet in the morning. and it was right at his naptime.
he quickly adjusted after a few weeks. when he got really tired at the group, we just left early. after months having his daytime nap later two days a week, i think he's used to it..

i'd give it a go and see how Ethan handles the disruption.. i think it may be rough the first few times (depending how he gets when he is really tired), but after a while it should even itself out.

(even if he just goes and plays with other kids for 30 or 40 minutes, thats better than not at all!) and you will get to hang with some other moms (which for me, is a great added bonus!)

good luck!!:)